BEWARE!!! Vacuum Pump NOT covered under brake recall
#21
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Long Beach
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2005 545i Black. Premium, Sport, Winter packages. PDC.
Hey guys.
No, brake fluid flush is not included.
To help those who are going to bring their car in for the recall, this is how everything happened.
Notices on forums and the internet were released about the E60 brake recall. I called BMWNA to find out if my car was included and it was. They also stated at that time (October 2010) that I would have to wait for the letter. So I waited patiently for that letter. Noticed that the UK and other parts of the USA were receiving their letters. There have been some in this forum who have been seen at their dealership and approved for the fix without a letter. So I figured I could do the same. Called the dealership (not going to mention because it is not really their fault) and they said my car was listed in the recall so I brought my car in last Tuesday.
Initially, it was only going to be the brake recall. My brakes had the "had to step on like a brick" feeling so it definitely needed the fix. My SA also recommended the brake flush since it involved the brakes, I told my SA to go ahead with it. Cost for flush would be $189.00. That's what I thought my total cost would be. I also received a rental that would be paid for by BMW for my problems. So no problem right?
A few hours later, my SA called and left a message. You know that message? The one where you can hear it their voice that there was something else wrong and it was going to cost you more money. SO I called back and sure enough, that's what the call was about. Needed to replace the Vacuum pump which is not covered under this recall. I even confirmed with BMWNA that it was not covered.
My brakes were eventually fixed. Just after I surrendered $1000 to the stealership that was supposed to be a free fix under recall or even a $189 fix with brake flush.
BMWNA should look more into this to see if the vacuum pump needs to be replaced in the majority of these recalls. If you don't have any problems with your brakes then you would only need the recalled replacements and it would be free. But if you have brake problems like I did, just be aware that you might be spending a lot of money to get this fixed.
Thanks guys. Hope this helps
KRAV
No, brake fluid flush is not included.
To help those who are going to bring their car in for the recall, this is how everything happened.
Notices on forums and the internet were released about the E60 brake recall. I called BMWNA to find out if my car was included and it was. They also stated at that time (October 2010) that I would have to wait for the letter. So I waited patiently for that letter. Noticed that the UK and other parts of the USA were receiving their letters. There have been some in this forum who have been seen at their dealership and approved for the fix without a letter. So I figured I could do the same. Called the dealership (not going to mention because it is not really their fault) and they said my car was listed in the recall so I brought my car in last Tuesday.
Initially, it was only going to be the brake recall. My brakes had the "had to step on like a brick" feeling so it definitely needed the fix. My SA also recommended the brake flush since it involved the brakes, I told my SA to go ahead with it. Cost for flush would be $189.00. That's what I thought my total cost would be. I also received a rental that would be paid for by BMW for my problems. So no problem right?
A few hours later, my SA called and left a message. You know that message? The one where you can hear it their voice that there was something else wrong and it was going to cost you more money. SO I called back and sure enough, that's what the call was about. Needed to replace the Vacuum pump which is not covered under this recall. I even confirmed with BMWNA that it was not covered.
My brakes were eventually fixed. Just after I surrendered $1000 to the stealership that was supposed to be a free fix under recall or even a $189 fix with brake flush.
BMWNA should look more into this to see if the vacuum pump needs to be replaced in the majority of these recalls. If you don't have any problems with your brakes then you would only need the recalled replacements and it would be free. But if you have brake problems like I did, just be aware that you might be spending a lot of money to get this fixed.
Thanks guys. Hope this helps
KRAV
#22
But why did the vacuum pump need to be replaced???? Was that specified, also how could you NOT flush the brakes after changing any kind of hoses? makes no sense. I have no symptoms but did receive the letter
#23
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Long Beach
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2005 545i Black. Premium, Sport, Winter packages. PDC.
This was on the invoice, "vacuum pump leaking. Removed and relplaced vacuum pump." SA told me needed to be fixed because it was a brake issue. Again, I asked her, "Why is the vacuum pump NOT included in the recall?" They were only doing what BMWNA suggested.
#24
I will def ask 1st before surrendering my car to them. But what are the symptoms of a faulty vacuum pump??? I have dont have a stiff pedal nor do I have any probs stopping(knocks on wood)
#25
Contributors
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: New York, New York
Posts: 10,301
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: See my signature
#26
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Long Beach
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2005 545i Black. Premium, Sport, Winter packages. PDC.
Don't know what the symptoms of a vacuum pump leak are except that it includes all that was mentioned above (master cylinder, brake booster, etc). All of these leaking will give you a bad brake. You would feel it at slow speeds like coming to a stop or backing up. You would have to step on the brake pedal like you are stepping on a snake to keep it from getting away or biting you. That's a bad analogy. Sorry.
#27
Senior Members
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2006 BMW 550i
did you have a hard pedal with the engine running, or only with the engine off?